The Deepwater Horizon accident in the Gulf of Mexico was a wake-up call for the oil and gas industry worldwide, not only in the US.
This accident has reminded us all that although technology, training, procedures and attention
to safety may never have been better, major accidents can still happen. They happen when risks are not adequately identified, addressed and managed.
For many decades into the future, oil and gas will continue to play a key role as a source of energy for the world. Thus our dependence on continued oil and gas exploration and production brings with it a responsibility: society at large expects oil and gas to be produced safely and responsibly. There is zero tolerance for failure.
The Deepwater Horizon accident reminded us of the worst potential consequences of oil and gas extraction. We were also reminded that there will always be potential for improvement and that we are obliged to work towards managing a complex set of risks. It is up to the industry as well as the regulatory bodies to step up to these challenges. This is not only about how to safely manage and apply the best technologies in deepwater drilling operations. It is also about building a safety culture and mastering necessary competencies, as well as implementing adequate management systems and processes.
DNV rules are an industry standard
As a class society, DNV has had a dedicated department with a high level of expertise in, and specialised services for, drilling systems since the 1980s. We have issued state-of-the art rules which are used as a standard of reference by governments.
Today, most well control systems are still not single-failure tolerant. The industry has been reluctant to accept the additional cost of improving these systems. DNV has now initiated a close dialogue with the major rig owners and equipment suppliers to further develop class-related drill notations and services based on lessons learnt from the Deepwater Horizon accident.
Many new uncertainties
In addition to raising the awareness of drilling and well control systems, the Deepwater Horizon accident has highlighted many new uncertainties for the oil and gas industry. Deepwater exploration and production, not only in the Gulf of Mexico but also in other challenging waters, will in some way or another be affected by the accident. Oil and gas exploration in the Arctic and other environmentally sensitive areas may be delayed or prohibited. New regulatory schemes may change the rules of the game. International oil majors may suffer in terms of reputation, confidence and frame conditions. The list of uncertainties is long and demonstrates how the accident may have a global impact on future oil and gas activities. Those companies that succeed in effectively addressing and managing these uncertainties will be the benchmarks of tomorrow in the offshore oil and gas industry.